“In our clinic, we’re now trying to actually improve patient function over time,” noted Dr. Vollmer. “We expect them to get better, particularly if they exercise and take some of the more highly effective therapies. Particularly for patients with the earlier phase disease, we’re looking for full disease remission, including remission of fatigue and depression symptoms.”
Functional recovery has become possible for some patients following the introduction of disease-modifying therapies with increased efficacy. Oral formulations of fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, and teriflunomide also could become highly effective treatment options in the coming years. As these and other new drugs emerge, they could expand the number of patients who can achieve remission or improvement—and also make the suppression of MS disease activity increasingly feasible.
—Erik Greb
Senior Associate Editor